Reaction kinetics

The studies of reaction kinetics focus mainly on the development of effective kinetic models for reactions relevant to exhaust gas aftertreatment and hydrogen production. This includes identification of key steps, formulation of rate laws and evaluation of kinetic parameters from lab reactor experiments. The aim is to develop predictive models valid in a wide range of operating conditions, while keeping the number of considered reaction steps and parameters low so that short computation times are achieved.

• Oxidation of CO, H₂ and hydrocarbons (CH₄, C₃H₆ ... C₁₂H₂₂)
• Water gas shift and steam reforming of hydrocarbons (H₂ formation)
• NO_x reduction by CO, H₂, hydrocarbons or NH₃ (SCR)
• NH₃ formation and re-oxidation
• Oxygen storage effects
• NO oxidation
• NO_x adsorption and desorption at different sites
• Adsorption of hydrocarbons
• Water condensation in catalyst pores during cold start
• Reversible deactivation of catalytic sites, regeneration strategies

The studied catalysts include supported noble-metal catalysts (Pt, Pd and Rh on Al₂O₃ and CeO₂-ZrO₂), Cu-zeolites or V₂O₅/WO₃/TiO₂ for selective catalytic reduction of NO_x, and Pd-zeolites for NO_x and hydrocarbon adsorption.